Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings work overtime (again) to defeat New York Rangers

L.A. Daily News | Jun 8

It’s not an ideal way to play hockey. It’s usually not smart. It’s usually not productive. It’s usually not successful.

Somehow, some way, the Kings have made it work.

Now, they’re only two victories away from hoisting Lord Stanley’s cherished 35-pound silver trophy after captain Dustin Brown scored to give them a 5-4 double-overtime win Saturday over the New York Rangers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center.

The Kings have made a habit of falling behind early during the playoffs, pecking away in the middle and then pulling out a remarkable victory when it matters most. It’s been a harrowing journey, filled with unpredictable twists and turns, but the end is almost in sight.

Brown’s goal, off a deft deflection of defenseman Willie Mitchell’s perimeter shot at 10 minutes, 26 seconds of the second overtime, gave the Kings a two-games-to-none lead over the Rangers. Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-7 series are Monday and Wednesday in New York.

The Kings haven’t led for a single second of regulation play in the Stanley Cup Final. They played catch-up Wednesday in Game 1 after trailing by two goals in the first period and winning in sudden death 3-2 on Justin Williams’ goal at 4:36 of OT.

They followed a similar route in Game 2.

“That’s an interesting stat,” Williams said. “I think I’m pretty much just going to regurgitate what we said after the last game. It’s a terrible start. Able to come back and get a big win in overtime. Game could have gone either way, but we found a way.”

The Rangers built leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2, but couldn’t seal the deal in Game 2. The Kings’ Dwight King and Marian Gaborik scored third-period goals to erase New York’s 4-2 advantage and send the game to overtime. Jonathan Quick blanked the Rangers in the third plus all 30:26 of OT.

Brown’s goal epitomized the Kings’ play in Game 2, and maybe for all of a playoffs in which they have played from behind continually and yet still come out ahead in the end. Brown muscled his way in front of the net and then redirected the puck past Henrik Lundqvist.